Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There was genuine scepticism on the part of many people, including ourselves, in the setting up of this authority. We similarly looked to the NTMA as being the natural organ to manage this. Having said that, and to repeat the point in relation to the new authority, I refer to ensuring that workers' representatives like ICTU are on the board of the new authority. That is an important point for this new authority because that facility would not necessarily be available through the NTMA.

We are happy to accept the bona fides of the new authority purely on the basis that I take some comfort from the Minister's own language within the legislation around the need for employees to be represented. I will repeat the point again, however, that per the amendment we have put forward, it is vitally important that the most authoritative body on workers' rights, namely, ICTU, should have a place on that board.